Connie Smith is a firm believer that volunteers gain as much from helping others as the recipients of their service gain. After wrapping up a year as an AmeriCorps member at Catholic Social Service in Great Bend, Smith hopes to be chosen for a second year with the program, while pursuing her goal of becoming an elementary school teacher.

KANSAS CITY, MO. - As the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks approached last week, three Great Bend firefighters paid tribute to the 343 firefighters who lost their lives. Dressed in full bunker gear, including air packs, they climbed 110 flights of stairs – representing the 110 flights of the Twin Towers.

Brody Schneider didn't need pedals as he raced across the finish line Saturday in the Kiwanis bike race at Brit Spaugh Park. Brody was first in the 3-year-old division, the first race of the day, and continued to push his scooter around the park as older kids lined up to compete.

For the past three years, Barton Community College has started its fall semester with full dorms – housing some students at Great Bend hotels for the first weeks of classes. Now college trustees are being asked to consider replacing the two oldest dormitories with one new building that will hold about 35 more students.

Financial expert and radio personality Dave Ramsey coaches listeners to become debt free, manage spending and save for retirement, and have something left to give to others. Locally, residents can attend the money guru's "Financial Peace University," offered several times a year at various locations.

When the clouds opened and it started to rain Friday, it was an answer to many prayers. But that brief downpour dropped less than half an inch of moisture on area lands, which is still about 10 inches under the average rainfall for this time of year.

A 34-year-old man was hospitalized Wednesday after being battered at a Great Bend residence. Keeven Hendricks was listed in fair condition Thursday at Via Christi Health's St. Francis Hospital in Wichita.

Brit Spaugh Zoo Director Scott Gregory will head to Arizona today, where he and other Great Bend officials will meet with the board of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. On Saturday afternoon, they'll learn if the zoo has gained the AZA accreditation it has been working toward.